The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa announced on Mar. 6 that they will participate in National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, taking place from April 19 to 25, with a focus on supporting victims and honoring those who serve them.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an annual event that draws attention to the rights, protections, and services available to crime victims. The theme for this year is “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.”
During this observance, the Southern District of Iowa recognized Brittany Marshall from the Crisis Intervention & Advocacy Center (CIAC) in Adel and Officer Braeden Nielson from the Fairfield Police Department for their service to crime victims. Marshall was honored with the Award for Excellence in Victim Services after being nominated by the Ringold County Attorney’s Office. Nielson received the Law Enforcement Victim Service Award following his nomination by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office.
“During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we highlight that achieving justice includes honoring the dignity and voices of victims. Our office remains committed to listening, advocating, and ensuring victims’ rights are respected at every stage of the process,” said United States Attorney David C. Waterman for the Southern District of Iowa.
Marshall serves ten counties across rural Iowa and is known for her victim-centered approach as well as providing training to law enforcement on identifying and assisting crime victims. Nielson graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 2023; his work has led to accountability in several high-profile investigations within Fairfield.
Charlotte Kovacs and Katie Blanchard were also recognized for their roles as Supervisory Victim Witness Coordinator and Victim Witness Specialist respectively at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for supporting crime victims throughout federal legal proceedings.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa supports both victims and witnesses through its services unit according to its official website. The office handles civil and criminal cases under guidance from the United States Department of Justice according to its official website, employing 24 prosecutors across facilities located in Des Moines’ Neal Smith Federal Building as well as courthouses in Davenport and Council Bluffs according to its official website.
Looking ahead, officials encourage those seeking more information about services or victim rights resources to visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/victim-witness-assistance.
